Mark@Sea

I'd get one, but it wouldn't be of much practical use to me considering my current situation. Sure is tempting, though...

I just ordered that guide from Cabelas. There are a couple other books that have been recommended to me, I will probably order them in the next month or three. You're welcome to borrow them and decide if you want your own copy. The lee anniversary press is probably a good way to get started reloading the .45LC. Another thing you're probably gonna need if you cast your own bullets is a lubesizer. I don't have a recommendation yet for a mold - but if you are shooting BP the bullet is different, the mold is different. In the long run, an electric melting pot is more economical than a gas or propane stove, but any of the three will work. I'll have a casting setup at the next shoot I'm home for, so everyone interested will get a chance to cast a few. Probably just round balls, but hey, its' a start... By the way, folks, the summer months are coming - if you want to bring your camping gear and make it a two-dayer, you're more than welcome. Wide open to suggestions for the shoot, as well.

Good luck. Seems like all the BP kits have gotten pretty expensive, kind of shocked me when I starting looking at BP again a couple weeks ago.

Black powder cartridge reloading guide: http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp;jsessionid=BZ4VYRDVL5JN3LAQBBJCCOVMCAEFGIWE?id=0002866212633a&type=product&cmCat=froogle&cm_ven=data_feed&cm_cat=froogle&cm_pla=0370206&cm_ite=0002866212633a&_requestid=5628 Online guide: http://www.gunnersden.com/index.htm.black-powder-cartridge-reloading.html

Nice rifle, Mike. You kids have fun!

Nope, the link you want, Mike posted a little while back... great deal at Cabelas on an Uberti 1873 .44 BP revolver. Never seen on of these before, it is not in Uberti's catalogue or website. Was not at Cabelas two weeks ago, last time I scowered their website. Pretty good price too. They even include a loading base for under $250 bucks. What a deal! Uberti 1873 Cattleman's 5.5" .44 Cal. Black Powder Pistol $239.99

Mike, I thought it might be fun, and a bit different. I probably would dedicate the new '61 Navy I bought last week... The price was too good to turn down, I guess. Might even pick up one of those 1873's for myself, the price is very good. Doesn't look like they are selling spare cylinders for them, but that design should lend itself to a cylinder change for a quick reload.

EMF's reply: I checked out the 1861 and 1860 and both have the extended screws for the shoulder stock. The 1860 shoulder stock does have to be fitted to the revolver (it fits very snug, and taking it on and off during fitting more than likely will scratch the grip) and has to be filed until it fits correctly.

Come to think of it, XD might be well off with that 1873 at Cabelas...

xd, I just received a pistol from DGW - fast service, fair prices, no complaints. Went to basspro a while back, wouldn't recommend - prices are too high. Lee website has molds in the various calibers. Suggest you buy your gun first, then mike the barrel, as a few thousandths difference can make a big accuracy difference. Lee molds are available in a wide range for each caliber, going several thousandths to either side. I do recommend you look for a local shop for caps and powder, as the hazmat shipping fees will hurt.

More than welcome, of course. I'm learning from a guy here - going over to his place one of these days to cast some up.

Mike, 7000 grains to a pound of powder. I figured in quite a bit of spillage. Thanks for that link to THR, I can already see some paper cartridges in my future. I'm already planning on casting my own balls, gotta get a lee mold on order, I'm told the RCBS dipper is better for casting. I have a cast iron kettle around somewhere, and if I look real hard, I might find a coleman stove, which will do fine. I'll probably convert it to profane eventually, to cut cost. In fact, I have an electric pot I got in a swap sometime back, but it isn't very large.

XD, A pound of powder (280 shots on average) - about $20 A tin of #10 caps - (100 shots) - about $6 Balls - box of 100 .44's - $10 Powder Flask w/measure spout - $20 Dixie 1851 Navy 44 - $200 (brass frame cheaper, steel frame better. your call) Total Cost: About $260 Sure, BP specific lubes and cleaners would be nice. Lube saturated patches (wonder wads) are nice - but what ya gotta have, is this list. Prices taken from Dixie Gun Works (www.dixiegunworks.com) as of today.

Didn't get his name. Older gent, North Carolina, early '90's. Don't blame you if you don't believe me, it was hard for me to believe and I watched it (IDPA match I was in). The retired AF master sergeant who taught me to shoot when I was a wee lad routinely hunted rabbits taking snap shots with a .22 revolver. I've witnessed 3 inch groups fired at 50 yards with a 1911. There are gauges used at pistol matches to determine if more than one shot went into the hole. What I'm getting at is that, while there are certainly more than enough people who'll BS you, there are a few out there who can do the deed, and most of them aren't famous, and don't brag about it. Remember the story of Elmer Keith getting mad about some guy calling him a liar to his face in reference to his revolver shooting? Elmer pulled a wad of cash out of his pocket, offered it to the guy and told him to take 500 paces, and give Keith one shot. The guy declined. I don't believe Id've taken that bet either. Shoot, I myself once took a newly received DCM Garand to the range and shot 1/2 MOA groups with surplus ammo and iron sights. Ticked off the guy in the next lane with the super dooper Remington law enforcement bolt action special / hubble telescope something fierce. Now who would believe that with a rack grade garand?

Rabbi, now you know I wouldn't normally disagree with you - but with my own eyes I saw a man draw and fire 6 shots in under 1.5 seconds. An electronic timer was in use, so the timing isn't subjective. I'm not going to say they were aimed shots, but all 6 were in their targets. 3 targets, 2 shots each. He used a S&W revolver.

Have fun, guys. I'll still be attached to the ship - still in drydock. Just all kinds of fun, let me tell you... News - grab-bag prize will be a new range bag, about medium size. Any shooter can put their name in the hat, pick someone to draw a name. Oh, and somebody bring a hat (grin).

Sorry for your loss, Scot. Words aren't much help in times like this, and if grief could cure death, it would be more valued than gold. Still, they are all we have. Next meet likely at my place, unless Mars has cleared the billboard idea with DOT. I won't be there, but I do hope to be able to have something as a prize - probably get someone to draw a name from a hat - anyone who shows up and shoots has a shot at it, so to speak.

Wanted - gunsmith to replace firing pin on 3rd model S&W Safety Hammerless revolver. Respond here, please. Never mind, did it myself. Score another victory for the Wile-E-Coyote School of Gunsmithing.

I picked up a new-in-box 1861 36 Navy made by Pietta. It has the recoil shield cuts, grip slot and extended frame screws for a shoulder stock, but I can't find a stock for sale designated for this model. Will the 1860 Army stock fit it? Anyone?

Not what you want to know right now, but bullseye competition pistol is at 25 and 50 yards. Defensive pistol is between 1 and 25 yards.

Thanks, Tim!

Went to the gunshop today to pick up the Springfield Trapdoor. The store had mis-marked this consignment gun. It was supposed to be priced at 950 rather than 650. Nothing they could do for me, as it was a consignment piece. That higher price took it out of the range of good-to-reasonable to 'a good deal too much'. Oh well.... Another one will turn up, or not. Mike to answer a question in another thread - Pietta made the pistols. I will mike the barrel to find out what size I need, but I am already planning to cast my own balls. Hmmm. Maybe there is a better way to phrase that. Anyway, met the guy who evaluated the trapdoor for me. Went over to his house, he has a Shiloh Sharps (very nice). What Sue really likes, though, is his Lemat revolver. Huh. Color me surprised. Well, he casts his own bullets, and I am picking up a few pointers from him.

1861 Navy steel frame (36) & 1851 Navy steel frame (44). Some joker got me interested in bp again.

TN EMT, I'm buying a .36 tomorrow. You still have the mold?

I collect and restore old Coleman lanterns, lamps, and stoves, as well as old gasoline fired blowtorches and other petroleum/pressure appliances.